For years, Jefferson Academy Secondary athletes trained on a dirt track, a surface that tested their resilience as much as their speed.
On April 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., that chapter officially comes to a close.
Jefferson Academy Secondary will celebrate the opening of its new all-weather track with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held alongside the Metro League Relays, the first varsity track and field meet on the new surface. The event will feature nine Metropolitan League schools and marks a defining moment for the school.
“The old track was likely one of the last dirt tracks in the state with an active team,” said Head Track Coach Eric Thimsen. “It made training difficult, but our athletes never used it as an excuse.”
Now, those same athletes will compete on a modern surface that reflects the level of dedication they’ve shown all along.
“This project really rounds out some long standing needs at JA Secondary,” said Executive Director Tim Matlick. “I remember when our track only had one curve. It was the best we could do at the time. Now we have a facility our students can truly be proud of.”
The project was funded through a partnership between Jefferson Academy Charter Schools and the City and County of Broomfield, combining school investment with community support.
For Athletic Director Dan Quaratino, the impact is immediate.
“Practicing on dirt limited our athletes and increased injury risk,” he said. “This new track gives them the environment they deserve and a place to compete at home.”
More than just a facility upgrade, the new track represents years of persistence, advocacy, and belief in what Jefferson Academy students could achieve.
“This project is the realization of a lot of hard work from a lot of people,” Thimsen said.
On April 7, that work will become visible, not just in the new surface beneath their feet, but in the pride of a school that never stopped moving forward.